Bibcode
Contini, M.; Viegas, S. M.; Prieto, M. A.
Bibliographical reference
Astronomy and Astrophysics, v.386, p.399-414 (2002)
Advertised on:
5
2002
Journal
Citations
15
Refereed citations
12
Description
The multiwavelength emission spectrum and associated velocity field of
the Seyfert prototype NGC 4151 is modeled. Since the thirties NGC 4151
has been the subject of extensive modeling, nuclear photoionization
being the basic approach considered by all authors. HST data has
impressively revealed the existence of a large range of velocities
(100-1500 km s-1) dominating the emitting clouds in the
extended emission line region of the galaxy. Following this
observational result, a revision of the photoionization modeling
approach applied to NGC 4151 is presented. It is concluded that a
mixture of radiation-dominated clouds and shock-dominated clouds are
required to explain the multiwavelength line and continuum spectra of
the galaxy. The relative contribution of shock excitation versus
photoionization is consistently modeled along the nebulae taking into
account the spatial variation of both flux and velocity of main optical
and UV lines. The multiwavelength continuum spectrum of NGC 4151 is then
nicely accounted for by a combination of nuclear emission at high
energy, gas Bremsstrahlung, and dust emission. The last two phenomena
are directly linked to the composite shock and photoionization
excitation of the gas. The radio SED however is found dominated by
synchrotron emission created by the Fermi mechanism at the shock front.
In addition, a 3*E3 K black body component accounts for the
host galaxy contribution. As a result of the modeling, silicon is found
depleted by a high factor and included in dust grains, while the N/C
abundance ratio is found compatible with cosmic values.